LOC20:48
17:48 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- A delegation from the European Parliament which
recently visited the Palestinian territories has expressed its shock over
ongoing deprivations suffered by the people in Gaza.
750,000 people continue to need food aid from UNRWA; 300,000 of them are in
abject poverty. Schools are still denied building material, the 8-member EP
delegation said in a statement here Tuesday.
The EU parliamentarians said that in order for the living conditions of
people in Gaza to improve, the Israeli siege must be lifted, and normal
economic and business activities must be allowed to start again, with no
restrictions on exports and imports.
The EP delegation held meetings with the elected representatives of all
political parties in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in order to
assess the living conditions in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as
well as to discuss the issue of reconciliation during its visit from 27
November to 1 December.
In Nablus, the major security problem is the violent activity of the Jewish
settlers, over which the Palestinian Services have no authority. The Israeli
army, however, do have authority, but do not take action against the
perpetrators of crimes: hit-and-run killings or destruction of 3,700 olive
trees, noted the statement.
"The violent activity of the settlers in East Jerusalem with the support of
the Israeli authorities continues, as well as illegal settlements, eviction of
Palestinian families, demolition of houses and intimidation of children," it
said.
In the course of meetings with the PLC counterparts, the issue of the 8,000
political Palestinian prisoners was raised, including some members of the PLC.
Three Jerusalem PLC members, who have recently been released, have been
ordered to leave East Jerusalem. They refused to do so and have taken refuge
in the office of the International Red Cross.
The delegation was led by Irish MEP Proinsias de Rossa, chair of the EP
Delegation for relations with the PLC. (end)
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